Front wheel bearing installation

5

'51 Special

Active Member
The shop manual says, with respect to front wheel bearing installation for a '51 Buick (and likely many other models) "always install a new wheel bearing oil seal." It goes on to say: "To avoid damaging the oil seal packing use Packing Expander J 3082 to install bearing inner cone in seal before installation in hub." It goes on to explain how to use the Packing Expander J 3082.
Well and fine. But I do not have a Packing Expander J 3082, and have no idea where to find one. I cannot be the only one here who has been in this situation. Please suggest any solution that worked for you. Thanx.
 
Since I've been doing this for more than 60 yrs. I usually tap them in with a hammer, carefully. Just try to start them straight into the bore.

Tom T.
 
Here is a J3082 expander up for sale on eBay. It is just a tapered round block that spreads the seal open gradually and lets it slide on to the bearing cone without damage. These were probably very scarce outside of Buick dealerships.

www.ebay.com

48 49 50 51 52 Buick Specialty Front Axle Tool Kent Moore J-3082 | eBay

This one is in really nice condition and will help you make quick work of the job. LIQUIDATING MY 35 YEAR COLLECTION OF ANTIQUE KENT MOORE TOOLS!
www.ebay.com

I worked in an electrical motor shop in the '70s where this type of seal was replaced regularly. No one there used an expander, they just had to be careful not to damage the seal like Tom indicates.

It might not be too hard to make one from a cone-shaped piece of smooth wood or hard plastic. Would just have to saw off a piece of the cone at a diameter that matches the od of the bearing cone.
 
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